SF Giants old hands tasked with getting top prospect's glove ready for MLB

Top SF Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge has already made a splash in spring training with his bat, hitting a huge home run in the first game of spring training. However, his defense needs improvement and some old hands are on the case.

Eldridge's offensive profile has never been in question. With a beautiful swing he modeled after a former MVP and a power profile that is undeniable, many believe that Eldridge will be a true power threat at the big league level.

However, Eldridge needed a position to play after he decided to focus on being a position player rather than being a two-way prospect like when he was first drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

Familiar SF Giants faces are helping with Bryce Eldridge's defense

First base is Eldridge's position now. The fact that he plays that position is definitely a reason why the Giants did not pursue a free agent first baseman in the offseason and instead decided to roll with the same platoon they went with last year of Wilmer Flores and LaMonte Wade Jr.

The Giants are clearly banking on Eldridge being their first baseman of the future, but in order for him to claim that mantle he is going to have to prove he can be a serviceable defender at first base at the big league level.

That is why it is heartening to see that Eldridge is going to be receiving some help from some old hands in the Giants organization. Fan-favorite first baseman J.T. Snow, a six-time Gold Glove Award winner, said that he and other familiar faces will be helping Eldridge out in camp.

In response to a social media user asking about Eldridge's defense, Snow replied: "This morning was our first defensive session on the half field at 8:30am, I was there with Matt Williams and Ron Wotus, we’ll be out there every morning this week, we’re going to get him right!"

It is great that former Giants third baseman and current Giants third base coach Matt Williams, as well as longtime Giants assistant coach Ron Wotus, in addition to Snow, are all taking part in helping Eldridge with his glove. Those three have decades upon decades of baseball knowledge to draw on and all know what is takes to be a successful infielder in the major leagues. Eldridge could not have any better mentors to help him get up to speed at first base.

There are other former Giants who have been at camp as assistants and advisors, so it is great to see these players and coaches who have endeared themselves to Giants fans over the years still being involved and helping the team out even when they are no longer players.

Eldridge seems likely to make his debut at some point in 2025, even though manager Bob Melvin has said he will start the season in the minors, but his debut could be accelerated if Snow, Williams, and Wotus are able to get his glove to where it needs to be as quickly as possible.